Chapter 8
Evening, as the shadows slowly grew longer.
“I’ll be back, Grandmother. Please don’t wait up—go to sleep first.”
“What nonsense are you saying? How can I sleep peacefully when you’re not home yet? Stop saying such things and go quickly.”
Sincere smiled awkwardly at the Visvaren matriarch’s words and opened the front door. Outside, a carriage was waiting. The man standing beside it greeted her warmly and helped her into the carriage.
Only after the carriage carrying the two of them passed through the garden and completely disappeared did the matriarch draw the curtains. A deeply satisfied smile appeared on her stern, experienced face.
Amanda, the head maid who was pouring tea, spoke when she noticed.
“You look pleased, Madam. With your granddaughter being so beautiful, you must no longer worry about finding her a match.”
“Of course. If Erze is getting married, Sincere should be sent off as well. How could I leave that poor child alone in Visvaren? She doesn’t seem to have any intention of marrying, so I have no choice but to take matters into my own hands.”
“Still, I’m a little worried. She’s such a gentle and naive young lady. Wasn’t it too soon to send her to Lady Vester’s social gathering?”
“So, you’re saying I made the wrong choice? You used to say everything I did was right. Now you think I’ve grown senile with age?”
“How could that be? I only meant I’m worried whether Miss Sincere can adjust well to Fritz.”
Though the matriarch’s tone was sharp, Amanda knew it was more of a teasing scolding than real anger. At her playful response, the matriarch let out a faint chuckle.
But when she picked up her teacup, the light in her eyes had dimmed.
“To be honest, I worry that my granddaughters are too beautiful. Especially sincere. You know how dangerous it is to possess something you cannot protect.”
A fallen Visvaren family and a girl from the parentless Reverke household—if that truth came out, Sincere’s position would become pitifully clear.
That was why the matriarch deliberately allowed Sincere to be called “Miss Visvaren.” She made sure Sincere herself could not reveal that she did not truly bear the Visvaren name. Her soft-hearted granddaughter would never speak up if it might burden her grandmother.
“So I’m actually grateful to Lady Vester. She helped spread Sincere’s name throughout Fritz as a Visvaren daughter.”
After attending Lady Vester’s gathering, Sincere had already received seven letters in just one day. It proved she had successfully become an interesting figure in Frisian society.
Of course, that didn’t completely keep away unsavory people—but it was still better this way.
A nameless flower blooming out of season would be plucked without anyone noticing. It was wiser to become something noticeable instead.
Once people formed an impression, it rarely changed. Even if Sincere later revealed the truth, people would still remember her as “Miss Visvaren.”
“Regardless of her surname, I will marry her off as a Visvaren daughter. Her leg may be a flaw, but she is still more than good enough to find a suitable match.”
“I truly hope she meets a good man. The gentleman who came to pick her up today was quite handsome as well.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
The matriarch clicked her tongue, scolding lightly—but she couldn’t hide the faint smile of expectation on her lips.
“Let’s just wait and see.”
If it is fate, they will meet no matter what. If not, then it was never meant to be.
***
The carriage that left at sunset only came to a stop when darkness had fully fallen.
With Vinter’s escort, Sincere stepped out—and was shocked when she saw the ship where tonight’s party would take place.
“Mr. Rettman… is this really a ship that floats on water? Won’t it sink with this many people on it?”
“Haha, it won’t sink from this. Besides, it’s anchored—so even if something happened, it would still be safe.”
His explanation sounded reasonable, but Sincere’s expression didn’t relax at all.
She had imagined a small boat for enjoying the night view. But what stood before her now was a massive luxury cruise ship—big enough to equal two Visvaren townhouses put together. Music from an orchestra and lively chatter could already be heard from inside.
My goodness…
Was this kind of thing normal in a big city like Fritz?
Cars had already been terrifying—and now she was about to board a ship this enormous. If even the harbor were this large, just how big must the city of Clafton be?
For the first time, Sincere found herself missing the countryside of Visvaren.
Having nowhere to feel at ease—this must be what that meant.
Still… I shouldn’t look like a country bumpkin.
No matter where she was, she had to remain elegant and composed. She couldn’t let anyone say that a lady of Visvaren trembled in fear at a ship party.
After calming herself, Sincere adjusted her expression. Vinter extended his gloved hand beside her.
“Shall we go in, Miss Visvaren?”
“Yes, Mr. Rettman.”
She placed her gloved hand on his and slowly stepped onto the ship.
***
Inside, the party was exactly what one would call luxurious.
It felt like a palace she had never seen before.
Brilliant chandeliers, an orchestra playing music, and people dressed in elegant outfits dancing gracefully. Others chatted cheerfully over drinks, all seeming carefree.
Vinter handed her a glass of champagne.
“Let’s have a drink. And when the music starts, we’ll dance together.”
Sincere carefully accepted the glass. She hadn’t come here to enjoy herself, so she didn’t really want to—but having a drink was basic courtesy to her partner.
The slender glass didn’t seem too burdensome.
Vinter lightly clinked his glass against hers with a gentle smile—
But for some reason, it felt unpleasant to her.
Feeling uneasy, Sincere raised the glass to her lips—
and then stopped.
Her gloved hand froze in midair.
Her lilac eyes fixed on someone.
A woman wearing a dress with a deeply open back. Long flowing blonde hair. A glimpse of soft, rounded cheeks.
The hand holding the glass slowly dropped.
That’s impossible.
“…Erze?”
